Loss of Powered Steering Help

[bradwebb]

Morning All,
It appears I have lost powered steering on my 53 2.0 HDI Berlingo. Anything more than 45 degree movements of the wheel either side is a struggle to turn.
Done some research up on forums and have so far possible reasons:

• Pump pulley/belt appears to be turning well
  
• Fluid at correct level
  
• Possible seized universal steering joint (sprayed AC90 over this from underneath)
  
• Possible top strut mount bearing seized (I did have a snapped spring changed 4 weeks ago) - Jacked both sides up and wheel was easy to turn with both engine off/on - does this rule out this possible reason?
  

Wheel turn is insanely difficult with wheels on the ground compared to when jacked up. 
Anything else I can check before diagnosing steering pump is the cause? How easy is this change?
Thanks
Brad

[ItsGreen]

What does it sound like? Is the pump straining or the belt slipping at all?

[bradwebb]

What does it sound like? Is the pump straining or the belt slipping at all?

To be honest no unusual noises had been heard. No signs of belt slip either.
Went in with AC90 yesterday over the strut bearings and universal steering joint and today it started to ease back up and eventually now back to normal.
Either one of those had been seized or pump had a blip.
Either way happy it’s back!

[Guanock]

Always best to treat one component at a time, then test. That way you know what the original issue was.

Geoff

[jj9]

. . . Wheel turn is insanely difficult with wheels on the ground compared to when jacked up. . .  

. . . Went in with AC90 yesterday over the strut bearings and universal steering joint and today it started to ease back up and eventually now back to normal. . . 

My money's on a strut top bearing.


.

[Agri_Yuppie]

What does it sound like? Is the pump straining or the belt slipping at all?

To be honest no unusual noises had been heard. No signs of belt slip either.
Went in with AC90 yesterday over the strut bearings and universal steering joint and today it started to ease back up and eventually now back to normal.
Either one of those had been seized or pump had a blip.
Either way happy it’s back!

Just seen your thread. Good news you got it sorted. It Could well have been the steering universal joint, as the 2.0 engine Berlingos seem prone to problems with that joint. I had issues with one. Plenty of lubrication cured it.

[smutts]

x2 on the steering UJ, at least it was for me.

Could a broken piece of spring got itself trapped in the nooks & crannies up by the strut top mount?

Could the new spring not be seated properly, and catching the body work?